Wausau Water Works
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — The Wausau Water Works Commission has instructed staff to come back to a future meeting with a copy of a potential lead service line replacement ordinance.
Public Works Director Eric Lindman says they don’t know what the language of the ordinance will look like just yet. Staff wants to look at how other communities have handled the situation, while also talking with the Public Service Commission to see what they will allow.
“We need to look at what other municipalities are doing,” said Lindman during Tuesday’s meeting. “Then make sure that the PSC is OK with the language in it. Whether that language is more specific, or [something like] ‘if funding is available to subsidize that cost up to 50%’ or ‘as long as there is funding available for the commission.'”
Lindman also notes that the ordinance will likely face pushback from some, but it may be required for the utility to receive certain funding to replace the lead service lines, which could happen over a five-year period starting next summer.
According to a presentation that was given to the commissioners on Tuesday they would start with 500 lines in 2024 before bumping that number up to 1,500 in ’25. The final three years of the program (2026-2028) would bring 2,000 replacements per year.
Current data shows up to 75% of the costs associated with the project could be forgiven. Though that number could be higher.
It’s still unclear how much of the cost could fall on customers.
GAC TIMELINE MOVED UP
Commissioners also voted to approve an adjustment to the contractor’s installation timeline for a granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration system at the drinking water treatment plant, which will be the utility’s permanent solution to PFAS contamination in the drinking water.
Engineer Susan Wojtkiewicz with Donohue & Associates said the change will entail contractors working through the winter to complete portions of the project, instead of breaking for two months during the coldest parts of the season. By doing so they can move substantial completion of the project to mid-summer, with final completion by late summer or early fall.
The move will cost an extra $300,000 but will come with savings elsewhere, as the utility may avoid another changeout of the resin currently being used to filter PFAS from the water supply.
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